Grate filtration system

ABSTRACT

A grate filtration system filters trash and debris from water flowing through a water channel by way of two vertical grates that intersect at a vertex and form a wedge shape that protrudes into the direction of flow of water in the channel. The grates are removably supported in grooves on side and center pillar supports. The vertical grates provide a spillway near the vertex. The system further includes a concrete apron that provides a smooth surface for the system and has grooves to support and retain the bottom edges of the vertical grates.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/712,242, filed Oct. 10, 2012. This application hereby incorporates by reference the provisional patent application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a grate filtration system for filtering trash and debris from water in a storm drain.

BACKGROUND

The improper disposal of trash leads to accumulation of trash on streets, sidewalks, and other land areas. A largely unappreciated problem is that trash which accumulates as such can be picked up by rain and storm water, where the trash flows down street drains that lead to larger storm drains. Unless the trash and other debris that accumulates and flows in rain and storm water is removed from the water, the trash and debris can enter storm drain outlets and be flushed into rivers, lakes, streams, creeks, and other waterways. The trash and debris thereby can contaminate and pollute these waterways, the environments in which they flow, and downstream environments. Significant amounts of trash flow to oceans, resulting in oceanic contamination and pollution.

Trash and debris that flow in storm drains and other waterways not only contaminate such waterways, but also clog the waterways. This clogging of waterways contributes to flooding and erosion, costing municipalities significant costs in trash removal, along with repairs and restoration due to erosion.

To help prevent trash from flowing from storm drains into waterways, filtration systems such as grates have been employed to remove trash from water in storm drains. The effectiveness of such systems can be limited, particularly if they become clogged with trash and block the flow of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a grate filtration system.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a grate.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grate positioned in a center pillar and a side pillar that have grooves for holding the grate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side pillar.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a middle pillar.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a bottom groove and support structure for center and side pillars.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a grate filtration system having a concrete apron flooring member.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a grate filtration system having a concrete apron flooring member and front, underground wall.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grate filtration system configured in a water channel.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a grate filtration system for a wide water channel.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment there is provided a grate filtration system for filtering water and debris from a water channel. The grate filtration system has two vertical grates that intersect at a vertex and form a wedge shape that protrudes into a direction of flow of water in the channel; and two grooved surfaces, one on each side of the channel, that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.

Optionally, each of the vertical grates has a lowered section near the vertex, wherein the lowered sections form a spillway at the vertex. Alternately, the vertex of the veretical grates has a center support with two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration. Alternately, the grate filtration system has a concrete apron on a bottom surface of the water channel and upon which bottom edges of the vertical grates are positioned. Optionally the concrete apron has grooves that removably support the bottom edges of the vertical grate. Another variation is the provision of bars on the vertical grates that are configured to promote water flow toward sides of the vertical grates and the water channel, away from the vertex of the vertical grates. The grate filtration system can also have side members, one on each side of the channel; and each side member is constructed to fit into a side wall of the channel. There each side member has one of the two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.

In another embodiment, a grate filtration system for filtering water and debris from a water channel has a plurality of vertical basket grates placed across the water channel, each vertical basket grate having two vertical grates that intersect at a vertex and forming a wedge shape that extends downstream with a direction of flow of water in the channel; and two grooved surfaces, one on each outside of the vertical grates that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration. The plurality of vertical baskets are placed across the water channel so that each vertical basket grate is in an offset position in a longitudinal direction of water flow in the channel relative to the basket grate adjacent to it; and the offset position alternates between being forward and rearward in the longitudinal direction of the water channel to form a first row of vertical basket grates and a second row of vertical basket grates.

In another alternative, each vertical basket grate also includes a center support at the vertex of the vertical grates, the center support comprising two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration. Optionally this grate filtration system also has a concrete apron on a bottom surface of the water channel and upon which bottom edges of the vertical basket grates are positioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Our invention is a grate filtration system for filtering trash and debris from water in a storm drain, water channel or other waterway. Currently used grate filtration systems are typically flat, and may simply cover a drainage outlet port as a grate that is attached directly in or over the outlet port, perpendicular to the flow direction of water through the outlet. Current designs include a flat grate that sits over an outlet at an angle, such that the grate is attached to a wall above the drainage outlet, and then extends down and out from the outlet to the base of the water channel. The grate contacts side walls of the water channel, thereby covering the water channel and the outlet with grating that catches trash and debris. We observed the major drawback of this design is that as it becomes covered in trash, it readily becomes clogged. In front of the grate, the water level rises rather than flowing through the culvert, causing flooding around the grate. As the water level rises, it can eventually rise and flow up and over the bridges. This flooding may cause significant erosion and result in trash flowing around and over the filtration system. Municipalities consequently face significant costs in repairs and restoration due to erosion, along with trash removal expenses.

Our grate filtration system is improved with a wedge shaped filtration system that surprisingly induces trash and debris to accumulate at the sides of the filtration system, providing an effective trash and debris removal system. The system includes two vertical grates that are removably attached to the sides of a water channel and that intersect to form a vertex that extends or protrudes into and opposite the direction of water flow in a water channel. The wedge or v-shape causes water to flow to the sides of filtration system so that trash and debris accumulates at the sides. The grates have bars that are angled relative to the direction of water flow, so that water cannot immediately flow through the grate but instead must work its way through the grate. Water thereby flows down the grate, enhancing the effect of the grate serving as a wedge that directs trash to the sides.

Our grate filtration system has additional advantages. An additional way to avoid the grate system from clogging is a lowered section of the intersecting grates at the vertex provide for a spillway, to allow water to flow without resistance. This lowered section prevents water from flowing up and over the top of the entire length of the grate, as could occur if the entire grate was clogged and the same height, without a spillway. Our grate filtration system also has removable grates that fit into grooves on the sides of the water channel, and optionally, on the bottom of the channel. The removable grates facilitate maintenance and repair of the grates, and removal of excessive amounts of trash. The filtration system may further include a flooring member, typically a concrete slab or apron, on the bottom surface of the channel. This concrete slab preferably has a smooth surface that will facilitate removal of trash from the grate system. The slab may include a groove in which the bottom of the grates rest, to provide support to the bottom of the grates in addition to that provided at the sides of the grates.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional application of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” and “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the words “embodiment,” “example” or the like for two or more features, elements, etc., does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment or example is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional un-recited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted broadly and including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth.

Referring to the figures, a grate filtration system of the present invention is illustrated and described in exemplary embodiments. In FIG. 1, a grate filtration system 10 is shown to have a wedge or v-shape. Two grates 12 and 14 are shown mounted in side pillars 16 and 18, and center pillar 20. The floor of the channel on which the grates and pillars rest is preferably a concrete slab or apron 28. The vertex of the wedge of the filtration system contained in center pillar 20 points upstream or into and opposite the direction of the flow of water in the channel in which the system is installed.

Each grate used in the system, as exemplified by the grate 12 in FIG. 2, is preferably configured to have a frame 30 that houses a series of bars (exemplified by bar 32). The bars are preferably rectangular in shape, with the width of the bar 32 shown in the view of FIG. 2. When the grate is placed into the filtration system 10, each bar 32 is angled relative to the flow of water passing through the system 10, so that the water does not have a direct opening (parallel to the channel flow direction) to flow through, but must instead flow around the bar in a manner such that the water must work its way through the grate 12. This configuration creates eddy currents that flow in a direction other than straight down the channel. The eddy currents give rise to a water flow pattern down the grate 12 in the system 10 such that water flows toward the side of the channel, toward the end of the grate mounted in the side pillar (16 or 18). This water flow pattern contributes to the wedge effect of the grate by promoting trash and debris movement to the side of the grate, and impedes trash and debris from sticking to the grate toward the center pillar 20. The trash and debris is thereby held at the sides of the system, rather than in the center. Through this engagement, the grate system is less prone to clogging and is self cleaning.

The grate 12 can have, but need not have, a uniform height throughout, or preferably will have a lowered section 34 toward the center pillar 20. The lowered section of two grates 12 and 14 will form a spillway 26, to allow unobstructed flow of water in the event that the entire grating of the grates 12 and 14 become clogged with trash and debris. In this scenario, water flows over the spillway 26 rather than rise up and flows over the entire length of the grates 12 and 14. By doing so, trash filtered by the system 10 remains filtered, rather than being carried by water up and over the grates 12 and 14 of the system 10 due to clogging with trash and debris. The lowered section forming the spillway is about one-fourth to one-third to one-half lower than the rest of the grate, such that the height of the spillway portion of the grate is about three-fourths to two-thirds the height of the rest of the grate. Likewise, the length of the lowered section is about one-fifth to about one-third the length of the overall grate, such that about one-fifth to about one-third the length of the overall grate contains shorter bars forming the spillway portion of the grate.

A grate 12 or 14 preferably is mounted in the system by sliding into grooves in the side pillars 16 or 18 and center 20 pillar. This configuration is shown in FIG. 3, in which a grate 14 has been inserted into grooves on the side pillar 18 and center pillar 20. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary side pillar 16 having a groove 36. In addition, FIG. 4 shows a side arm to fit around a concrete post. It also shows the optional hole ready for a bolt to reinforce attachment to the concrete. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary center pillar having grooves 38. These pillar grooves are sized to accommodate the frame 30 of a grate 12 or 14. This configuration for mounting the grates 12 and 14 in the system 10 enables the grates to be removed for ease of repair and maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, the side pillars 16 and 18 and center pillar 20 of the system 10 are bolted to a support surface. This configuration of the pillars enables them to be removed without disturbing the support surface, should one of the pillars become damaged or broken. The support surfaces for side pillars 16 and 18 and center pillar 20 are typically metal plates or other strong materials that are appropriate for attachment of the pillars. In FIG. 6, exemplary support surfaces 36, 38, and 40 are shown, which correspondingly are configured to support side pillars 16 and 18 and center pillar 20. The support surfaces in turn are supported by and attached to support structures embedded into the water channel bed, such as beams or similar support structures. As shown in FIG. 7, these beams may be metal I-beams which are encased in concrete. The support beams 42, 44, and 46 respectively provide support to surfaces 36, 38, and 40, to which in turn are respectively attached side pillars 16 and 18 and center pillar 20. To further add strength to the system and to assist in alignment of the beams 42, 44, and 46, beams or columns 48 and 50, such as c-columns, may be attached to the support beams as shown in FIG. 6.

The grate filtration system 10 will preferably contain side members 22 and 24 (exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 8). In a preferred embodiment, the side members 22 and 24 are constructed to fit into side walls of the channel at an angle so that the side members are in line with the grates 12 and 14 and extend the angle of the wedge or v-shape formed at the intersection of the grates 12 and 14 in the center pillar 20. Preferably, the side members are formed of a reinforced concrete. The side members provide a surface onto which the top part of a side pillar 16 or 18 can be anchored, and by extending into the side walls of the channel, assist to provide strength to the grate filtration system 10.

The grate filtration system 10 preferably also contains flooring member 28 (exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 7). The flooring member 28 is configured to provide a smooth surface for the system 10, and facilitates trash clean up by providing a surface on which workers may stand and scrape trash and debris off the system following rains or a storm. In a preferred embodiment, the flooring member 28 is a slab of reinforced concrete. The flooring member 28 further strengthens the grate filtration system 10 by encasing the upper portions of the beams 42, 44, and 46. The flooring member 28 may also add strength to the system 10 and improve its integrity by providing grooves in which the bottom edges of the grates 12 and 14 can be placed or sunk. Each groove, which may be reinforced with metal, provides a third site of structural reinforcement and support for the grates 12 and 14, in addition to the side supports provided by the side pillars 16 and 18 and the center pillar 20. Additionally, the grooves allow for the grates to be removed for trash cleanup as well as replacement if damaged.

The integrity of the system 10 and the flooring member 28 may be further improved by the addition of a wall 52 adjacent to or connected to the front edge of the flooring member 28 and placed underground in front of the entire system 10, as shown in FIG. 8. This wall 52 prevents water from flowing underneath the entire system 10 and uprooting the system from the water channel.

In another embodiment, the grate filtration system 10, including the flooring member 28, is placed in a water channel in series with or adjacent to a surface that both slows the flow rate of water and prevents erosion of the channel. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a surface 54 having large rocks or boulders of approximately three to four feet in diameter may be placed to line the water channel in front of the grate filtration system 10, and in particular, in front of the flooring member 28.

The above-described grate filtration system typically has application in more narrow water channels that are about 30 feet wide or less. For larger water channels that are greater than 30 feet wide, an alternative grate filtration system 56 may be used, as shown in FIG. 10. In this system 56, a series of two or more (or a plurality of) wedge or v-shaped grates, referred to as basket grates, are used to filter trash and debris from rain and storm water in the channel. In a preferred embodiment, five basket grates 58 and 60 are employed in a particular application in a given water channel. Each basket grate used has the same dimensions, and includes two grates 62 and 64 that intersect to form a basket grate. In this configuration, the wedge or basket formed by the grate faces in the same direction as the water flow, i.e., downstream, in the channel. The basket grates thereby collect trash and debris in the center of the grates. The basket grates 62 and 64 are symmetrical to each other and each vary in height, such that they rise from a lower level on the outsides of a basket, 66 and 68, and peak at a vertex 70 where the two grates intersect.

As per the above described grate filtration system 10, the grates 60 and 62 of the basket system will contain rectangular bars that are angled to the flow of water in the channel, so that the water cannot immediately flow through the grate but instead must work its way through the grate. However, in the basket system, the angle causes water to flow to the center of the basket grate 58 (which is generic to and representative of basket grates 58 and 60). This water flow promotes movement of trash and debris to the center of the basket grate 58, towards its vertex 70.

Each basket grate 58 may be anchored in the system 56 in a manner similar to that described above for grate filtration system 10. Thus, each of the grates 62 and 64 are anchored on the outsides 66 and 68 in side pillars and at the vertex 70 in a center pillar. The pillars anchoring the basket grate 58 may be anchored into the bed of the water channel, particularly as described for the center pillar 20 in grate filtration system 10. The pillars are bolted in a similar fashion as system 20 so the pillars can be replaced if damaged. The grates are preferably mounted into grooves in the pillars, so that they are removable. This allows the grates to be removed for easier trash clean up and to be replaced if damaged. The basket grate system may likewise have a flooring member 72, to provide a smooth surface for trash removal and structural integrity. The flooring member 72 may also include grooves into which the bottom edges of the grates 62 and 64 are inserted to provide support across the bottom of the grates along with that provided at the sides.

The basket grates 58 and 60 of the basket filtration system 56 are installed so that each basket grate 58 and 60 is offset to each immediately adjacent basket, so that the baskets are staggered or offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of water flow in the channel, rather than lying in a straight line across a water channel, as shown in FIG. 10. In this respect, one or more basket grates 58 may be in a relatively forward position, while the remaining one or more basket grates 60 may be in a relatively rearward position. In a preferred embodiment of 5 basket grates, the offset position of each basket grate will alternate to produce a first, forward row of three basket grates and a second, rearward row of two basket grates. Typically, each basket faces the same direction with respect to the channel and water flow direction, but the positioning of the basket grates 58 and 60 may vary in the system 56 to allow the system to be readily adaptable and customized for various channels, which may vary in shape. The outsides of adjacent, staggered basket grates 58 and 60 may overlap relative to the direction of the water flow in the channel. In this configuration, a rearward basket grate 60 may assist in filtering trash or debris that might flow around a forward basket grate 58. Gaps between the basket grates 58 and 60 due to their staggered or offset positioning will allow for water flow around the baskets. Even in a worst case scenario in which trash and debris clog a basket grate 58, water still flows between a forward basket grate 58 and a rearward grate 60, and continues to flow around rearward basket grate 60.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing description, if various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure, this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims, and such other claims as may later be added, are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment. 

1. A grate filtration system for filtering water and debris from a water channel comprising: two vertical grates that intersect at a vertex and form a wedge shape that protrudes into a direction of flow of water in the channel; and two grooved surfaces, one on each side of the channel, that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.
 2. The grate filtration system of claim 1, wherein each of the vertical grates has a lowered section near the vertex, wherein the lowered sections comprise a spillway at the vertex.
 3. The grate filtration system of claim 1, further comprising a center support at the vertex of the vertical grates, the center support comprising two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.
 4. The grate filtration system of claim 1, further comprising a concrete apron on a bottom surface of the water channel and upon which bottom edges of the vertical grates are positioned.
 5. The grate filtration system of claim 4, wherein the concrete apron has grooves that removably support the bottom edges of the vertical grate.
 6. The grate filtration system of claim 1, wherein the vertical grates comprise bars that are configured to promote water flow toward sides of the vertical grates and the water channel, away from the vertex of the vertical grates.
 7. The grate filtration system of claim 1, further comprising side members, one on each side of the channel, wherein each side member is constructed to fit into a side wall of the channel, and wherein each side member has one of the two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.
 8. A grate filtration system for filtering water and debris from a water channel comprising: a plurality of vertical basket grates placed across the water channel, each vertical basket grate comprising two vertical grates that intersect at a vertex and forming a wedge shape that extends downstream with a direction of flow of water in the channel; and two grooved surfaces, one on each outside of the vertical grates that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration; wherein the plurality of vertical baskets are placed across the water channel so that each vertical basket grate is in an offset position in a longitudinal direction of water flow in the channel relative to the basket grate adjacent to it; and wherein the offset position alternates between being forward and rearward in the longitudinal direction of the water channel to form a first row of vertical basket grates and a second row of vertical basket grates.
 9. The grate filtration system of claim 8, wherein each vertical basket grate further comprises a center support at the vertex of the vertical grates, the center support comprising two grooved surfaces that removably support the vertical grates in a vertical configuration.
 10. The grate filtration system of claim 8, further comprising a concrete apron on a bottom surface of the water channel and upon which bottom edges of the vertical basket grates are positioned.
 11. The grate filtration system of claim 10, wherein the concrete apron has grooves that removably support the bottom edges of the vertical basket grates.
 12. The grate filtration system of claim 8, wherein the vertical basket grates comprise bars that are configured to promote water flow toward the vertex of the vertical grates.
 13. The grate filtration system of claim 8, wherein the vertical basket grates comprise 3 or more rows.
 14. The grate filtration system of claim 8, wherein the grate filtration system comprises 5 vertical basket grates in two rows. 